Cécile

In English, 'could'can be used as a past tense as well as a conditional so can also mean'was able to'. Look at the following examples:

I could hear Robert play the flute in the next room.

Mozart could play the piano blindfolded.

I could leave work early today as I had a doctor's appointment.

In all these cases 'could' can be replaced 'was able' or 'was allowed' in the last sentence.

This is the case in the example you mention -

I would have a big house if I was able to afford it.

Hope this helps!

Chris

Kwiziq community member

25 May 2018

25/05/18

Hi steven,

French follows its own rules, and translating from English 1:1 won't always land you on the mark.

The rule for "If"-sentence can be summarized like this:

Case 1: expressing a possibility in the presentSi clause: present tense; main clause: present tense or future tenseSi tu veux tu peux le faire. -- If you want, you can do it.Si j'ai de l'argent, je acheterai une voiture. -- If I have money I will by a car.

Case 2: expressing an unlikely possibility in the presenSi clause: imparfait; main clause: conditionnel présentSi j'avais de l'argent, j'acheterais une voiture. -- If I had money, I would by a car.

Case 3: expressing a missed possibility in the pastSi clause: plus-que parfait; main clause: conditionnel passéSi j'avais eu de l'argent, j'aurais acheté une voitre. -- If I had had money, I would have bought a car.